In a statement, the President said: "The work of William Trevor was widely regarded by his peers and critics as being among the finest literary works produced in Ireland. He received critical acclaim at home and abroad, and it was a great privilege for me to be able to bestow on him the honour of Saoi of Aosdána, a recognition from his peers, and a title given to those who have made a singular and enduring contribution to the creative arts.

"His loss will be felt most by his wife Jane and their two sons, Patrick and Dominic to whom Sabina and I send our condolences. But his death is also an immense loss to all readers who value the power of evocative words and the beauty of a story well told," he added.